Australia needs to Close the Gap in Aboriginal life expectancy

By Ruth Skilbeck

Why are Aboriginal people still dying 10-20 years earlier than other Australians, from “entirely preventable diseases” and how – and when- will the gap in life expectancy be closed?  

This year, 22 March is Australia's National ‘Close the Gap’ Day and events are planned around the land to raise awareness and work towards improving quality and length of life for Indigenous peoples who as a demographic are still dying early from impacts of poverty that are found in developing countries and do not effect other groups in the rich land of Australia, as shown by Oxfam and government statistics.

A new partnership model - ‘Power through partnership’ for indigenous health equality-  is the theme of National Close the Gap Day, 2012.

Working partnerships between Indigenous peoples and health and community services supported by local and federal government is the new approach to  ‘close the gap’ in health, well being and life expectancy for Indigenous Australians, said a representative from Oxfam.

“Our focus for 2012 is on the need for genuine, meaningful partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health people at all stages of health planning and delivery.”

Since the incoming Labor Government’s 2008 official ‘sorry’ to Indigenous peoples and pledge to improve Indigenous health, community support for  Indigenous health has continued to grow.  

Supporters include the National Rugby League (NRL) - which has numerous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players-  and is running a national campaign to maintain awareness and pressure on government to hold to its 2008 commitment to ‘close the gap’ in life expectancy rates for Indigenous people in Australia.

The aim of Close the Gap day events is to show community support through positive action for change. One example of the partnership model in practice is the forum held by Ryde Council in Sydney today to provide an opportunity for local government, community and health service representatives to come together and start working in collaboration in key areas that need care and attention:  developing culturally sensitive approaches, disseminating community health information and data, and effective delivery of services.

Events in Sydney today include  a National Close the  Gap forum held by Ryde Council.


- Do you have any suggestions for areas that need attention?
- What are your thoughts on how change can occur and life quality and expectancy rates improve?
- What should local government, community and health services be doing to improve the shocking rates of life expectancy for Indigenous peoples in Australia?
 - For an effective partnership model to really work what would need to happen in practice?